Control Relinquished

I recently had experiences with two vastly different women and they each brought out a different side of me. The first scenario was at a local store. I approached the busy check-out lanes and noticed a lady standing off to the side. Assuming she wasn't claiming a spot in any of the lines, I proceeded to walk around her to a check-out that had just finished with a customer. Suddenly, this lady's booming voice pierced throughout the entire check-out area, "EXCUSE ME, MISS!!!!! I BELIEVE I WAS NEXT!!!"  Lots of eyes turned towards the recipient of these harshly spoken words---me! I apologized and told her I did not realize she was waiting in line and left her go in front of me. In an equally harsh tone she scoffed, "I have places to be, for goodness sake!" That last comment lit my defenses into an open flame and I'm ashamed to admit I spat back, "Well, I do too!" Even though that was the truth, as I had to pick up my kids from schoo...

There has been a tree on the lot next door that has intrigued me for awhile. From the front, it looks like a typical evergreen and you would barely notice that it is struggling to survive. But a quick side view reveals that this tree has a major nutrient deficiency or health issue! As you can see, the tree is completely bare on one side and definitely not a picture of "thriving".  How often do we find ourselves like this tree?  A picture of health or perfection on the outside for others to see, but inside we are wasting away.   Sharing the highlight reel on social media, but hiding the raw and ugly side of life.   Our roots are shallow and lack of "Son-light" prevent us from being spiritually nourished . The first core value at my church is "Be Authentic", a growing challenge to be real and not fake. Are we willing to let people see the broken, exposed, and hurting sides of ourselves? Or will we choose to continually fool...